Pressing device for folding machines



y 1927' w. F. LAUTENQSCHLAGER v I PRESSINGDEVICE FOR FOLDING MACHINES Filed Dec. 1. 1922 Patented as 31, 1927. e

st rs WILLIAM F. LAUTENSCHLAGER, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO LORENZ MU'IHEB, OF NEHTON, MASSACHUSETTS. i

PRESSING DEVICE FOR FOLDING MACHINES. I

Application filed December 1; 192-2. Serial No. 604,346.

This invention relates to a pressingdevice for folding machines and although capable of general use, is designed with particular reference to a folding machine of the construction shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1399264, issued to me on December 6, 192-1.

In the use of folding machines for folding the edges of leather and other sheet material, great difficulty has heretofore been experionced in folding the conveXly curved edges of the work and so far as I'am informed no machine has heretofore been produced which will accomplish generally satisfactory results in this respect. In all machines adapted for this kind of work, it is essential that means he provided for turning the edge to'be folded up or over into a position where it may be engaged by the pressing means to be pressed into a cemented relation with the-reverse side of the body portion of the material without crumpling or wrinkling the turned over fold. The folding of straight edges'isa comparatively simple problem and no great difficulty has been met with in this respect. The same is true in folding those edges which are concave since those edges must be slit which greatly facilitates the folding opera tion. In folding convexly curved edges of the work, however, the turning up of the edge to be folded causes a fullness to appear in that edge which assumes a wavy appearance which on curves of small radii develops into pleats. In consequence of this fullness, there is a natural tendency for the turned up or overedge to resume its orginal position and straighten out just assoon as it leaves the turning or folding means, and when the pressing means operates the edge is either straightened out or crushed and wrinkled which requires that portion to be refolded by hand.

Further complications are introduced be-- cause the convexly curved edge after it leaves the turning member travels in a direction different from that taken by a straight edge. The latter travels along the normal line of feed of the machine but the convexly curved edge proceeds along a line inclined away from the line of feed and sometimes when the curve is of small radius along a line approximately perpendicular to it. i

As a result of the foregoing conditions,tl1e various pressing means heretofore provided in the different machines in use have proved entirely inadequate to produce perfect fold ing on thoseedges of the work which are curved convexly; p y The primary object of my invention is the provision of pressing means, applicable to folding machines in general, which is equally well adapted for folding all kinds of work whether, the edges be straight or curved either convexly or ooncavely.

Other objectsof the invention will be more i specifically set" forth inafter. I v r 1 In the drawings illustrating thepreferred form of my invention, Figure 1 isa partial end elevation of a folding machine of the type illustrated in'the Letters Patenthereinbefore referred to, having. a pressing means constructed and operated in accordand described hereance with the present invention applied of the same; Figs/7, 8 and 9 are 'diagram matic views showing various stages in the operation of the pressing meansupon a turnedup edge. n i i 4 In the drawings isshown a small port-ion of the machine described in said Letters Patentissued tome December 6, 1921, merely for the purpose of illustrating the application of my inventionthereto, and for coni venience the reference numerals used in said Letters Patent are retained for such parts of said machine as are shown here. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, 1O designates the frame, 11. the lower arm, and 25 a convexlycurvedworksupport secured by screws 23 to the lower arm 11. The folding instrumentalities shown comprise a gauge for guiding the work through the machine. a fold turner or plow 31 for turning over the edge to be folded, a feed-bar32 for feeding rod 160 is provided with a body portion adapted for folding convex edges even where the fullness causes the edge to assume a position perpendicular to the normal pressing surface. of my invention, I provide means normally advanced for engaging the upturned edge to be folded in such manner that it is laid over upon the body portion of the material smoothly without crushing or wrinkling. In the form shown in the drawings, the pressing member which is mounted on the 300 having a press ng surface 802 parallel to the curved surface of the work-support 25. On one side'the body port-ion 300 is cut away to receive a member 306 which is pivotall mounted at its uaner end on a Dill .V i-

. said retractable member maybe limited by,

808 securedin the body portion. The lower end of the member 306 is in the form of a rectangular finger with a pressing surface 312 which is in alignment with the pressing surface 302 on the body portion 300 when the said member is retracted into the slot 310 formed in the face ofthe said body portion. The member 300, 15, however, nor mally held in an advanced position by any suitable means, which will permit its retraction into the slot 310 when sutiicient pressure is applied, such as, a light helical spring 314 mounted in a suitable bore back of the said member. The slot 810 should be of such depth that the full retraction of the member 806 willbring the pressing surface 312.

of said member into exact alignment with the pressing surface 302 of the main body port1on..- The advanced movement of the squaring its upper corner at 316 to engage the shoulder 318 on the body portion. In order to facilitate the formation of pleats in the folded over portion on convex curves the retractable member 306 may be cut away at 320 adjacent thebody portion to form a radially as it leaves the turning device or plow in a lateral direction. In my patent hereinbefore referred to the rod 160 is provided with a. finger piece for turning it when necessary to turn the pressing device nearer to the plowto act upon convexly curved edges in a radial direction. This turning means, however, is not shown herein but said patent may be referred to'for a more complete description of it and its operation. In Figure 2, however, the position of the pressingsurface when the pressing member is rotated on its axis is shown in dotted lines. This rotation to a certain extent destroys the parallel relation between the curvedrsurface of the work-support and'thecurved,

In the preferred embodiment rather'than to turn it oversn'ioothly u" the material. The member-306, howe normal stroke.

edge on convex curves due to the presence of pleats. At the same iine the rotation of the pressing device bringsthe recess 320 into radial relation with the convex edge and results in the formation of pleats which are radial and uniform.

In the operation of my invention, the pressing device normally in a raised position with the member 306 held in an ad vanced position as shown in Fight by the spring 814, the pressing surface of. the member-306 being more nearly vertical than the pressing surface 302 of'the main body por tion of the device. In Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive is illustrated the variousstages of a press ing operation. In "I he material32 l is'shown arranged on the curved work-support 25 with its edge 326 turned upwardly. In this figure the edge shown not in the position inlwhich it comes from the plow, which would be approximately verticah but 'main body portion is very nearly perpendicnlar to'th-e edge 326 in which case the pr-esslng dev1ce 1n its downward 'movement would tend to crush and crumplc the edge is advanced, so that-its pressing surface 312 1s more nearly vertical than thepressing surface 302, in consequence of'whichthe advanced member strikes the edge 326 more nearly flatwise andihereby turns it on the l folded line as a pivotal line. In Fig. 8 the pressing device is shown in the midway posi tion, having moved about one-half'of its In this position the fold 326 is shown as being bentdownwardly to-. ward the body portion 532i of the material and the resistance olfered thereby has caused the meniberSOG to be partially retracted against the pressure of the spring 3141-. In Fig. 9 is shown the parts at the'conclusion of the )ressin o aeration. The fold 326 has been laid smoothly nponthe body portion 324i of the material andthemeinber 306 has been entirely retracted into the slot 310 so that the pressing si'irface of the mcinbcr w is in alignment with the pressing surface of the main body portion, the two pressing surfaces constitutiug theentire pressing sur face of the device; i

In folding convex curves; the amount of rotation of the pressing device is at all times within the control of the operator so that a radial.adjustment can be securcdirrespective of the radius of the curve or the direction -in which it leaves the turning device. The rotation of the pressing device, however, brings it nearer to the plow or til and more nearly fiatwise;

folding machines of various construction.-

It is also capable of embodiment in other forms of constructlon than that hereln shown without departing from the spirit,

thereof and within the scope of the follow- 7 ing claims.

What I claim is: i 1. A'pressing device for folding machines havinga mainpressing member and a member retractable within said main pressing member but-normally advanced for engaging the upturned fold approximately flatwise; said device being rotatable to press convexly curved edges radially.

2. A pressing devicefifor folding machines ha'ving a main body with a pressing surface and a retractable member pivotally mounted on said main body and normally in advanced position for transversely en-.

gaging the upturned fold in advance of the said body portion; said device being rotatable to press convexly curved edges radially.

.3. A pressing device for folding inachines having a main body portion with a pressing surface, a retractable member pivotally mounted on said body portion and resilient means for holding it in an advanced position to engage the upturned fold trans versely and flat wise and turn it into position to be pressed down by said body portion; said device'being rotatable to press convexly curved edges radially.

l. A pressing device for folding machines having a pressing surface a portion of which is normally advanced toward a ver tical plane for engaging the upturned edge of the material to be folded transversely said advanced portion being retractable at the conclusion of the pressing operation into alignment with the remainder of the said pressing surface; said device being rotatable to press convexly curved edges radially.

5. A pres ing device for folding machines having in combination a main body portion provided with a pressing surface and a slot therein, a member pivotally mounted in and retractable into said slot and resilient means for holding .-aid member in an advanced position; said device being rotatable to press conveXly curved edges radially. v

6. A pressing device for folding machines having, in combination, a main body portion provided with a pressing surface, a retractable member pivotally mounted on pressing surface r pivotally mounted on said 'inam' body and normally in advanced said body portion and: having a pressing surface which pressing surface on said body portion'when said member is in 'a fully retractedposition and resilient means for holding said member in an" advanced "position; said device being rotatable to press 'convexly curved edges radially.

7. A rotatable pressing device for folding machines having amain pressing member and a retractable member normally advanced for engaging" the upturnedfold approximately flatwisc; said retractable member being cut away adjacent themain member to permit pleats to form. in. the folding of conveXly curved edges. V i

8'. A rotatable pressing device for folding machines having a main body with a' and a retractable member position for engaging the upturned fold in advance of the said body portion; said retractal'ile member being cut away adjacent the main member to permit pleats to form in the folding of convexly curved edges.

9. A rotatable pressing 'device for fold ing machines having a main body portion is in alignment with the with a pressing surface, a retractable mem' ber pivotally mounted on'said bodyportion and resilient means for holding it in an advanced position to engage theupturned fold flatwise and turn it into position to V be pressed down by said body portion; said re,- tractable member being cut away adjacent the main member to permit pleats to form in the folding of convexly curved edges. 10. A rotatable pressing device for folding'machines having a pressing surface a portion of which is normally advanced toward a vertical plane for engaging the upturned edge of the material to be folded more nearly flatwise; said advanced portion being retractable at the conclusion of the pressing operation into alignment with the remainder of the said pressing surface and being provided with a recess to permit pleats to form. '11. A' pressing device for folding ma chines having in combination a main body portion provided with a pressing surface and a slot thereiina memberpivotally mounted in said slot and resilient means for holding said member in an advanced position; said device being rotatable at the'will of the operatorwithout interfering with the operation of the machine. 12. A pressing device for folding machines having. in combination. a main body portion provided with a pressing surface, a retractable member pivotally mounted on said body portion and having a pressing surface which is in alignment with thepressing surface on said body portion when said memher is in a fully retracted position and resilientmeans for holding said member in an radial pleats to radii.

advanced position; said device being rotatof feed, a retractable pressing member pivcut-out portion at otally mounted in said of the work,

the end thereof nearest the body means for holding the free end of said member normally downwardly in position to engage flatw'se before the main body portion engagesedge in the pressing operation,

said

member to be r'etracted in said cut-out portion during the pressing operation and 1 means within the control of the operator for rotating said device to press curves of small pressing surface having a the upturned edge to be folded said holding 'means being compressible to permit said 14:. A pressing device for folding machines having a mainbody portion with a pressing V a retractable member pivotally mounted on said body portion and a "spring for holding :it in an advanced position to engage the upturned foldtransversely and fiatwise and turn it into position to be pressed down by sai d body portion; said device besurface,

ing rotatable to press convexly curved edges radially; p I v 1 15, A pressing device for foldingmachines having in combinationa main body portion provided with a pressing surface and a slot therein, a member pivotally mounted'insaid slot an'da spring for holding said member in an advanced position; said device being rotatable to press convexly' eurvededges ra dially. V. r l

In witness whereof, I hereunto Set my hand this twenty-fourth day of November, 1922. V e

WILLIAM n. L UTENSGHLAGE are 

